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Suppose you have a sports club in England and are seeking to register a trade mark. In that case, you must consider the preparation you will need before registration. Intellectual property registration can be complex, and there are several necessary steps to note before you start the official application. This article will provide some trade mark registration tips for Sports Clubs and will discuss why trade mark registration is essential.
LegalVision’s Trade Mark Essentials Guide provides valuable information for any business looking to register or enforce a trade mark.
Why Trade Mark Your Sports Club?
Sports clubs must be able to generate income from things like sponsorship and merchandising based on the brand through things like clothing or sporting goods. Registered trade marks provide your sports club with exclusive rights over the usage of your mark and equip you with legal rights to challenge any other business that infringes your IP rights by using your mark without consent.
Types of Trade Mark to Register for your Sports Club
Trade marks can take many forms, and you are encouraged to be creative when designing your mark. This is because trade marks should be distinctive and distinguish your business from others in your industry. Consumers must be able to identify your business from the crowd of competitors with ease. Therefore, you must make sure your trade mark is distinctive. Before you begin your application, you can search registered trade marks online to check whether your design has already been registered. Although, it is wise to obtain legal advice during this process.
You can decide from a range of options, such as registering your:
- logo;
- slogan;
- colour scheme;
- badge;
- sound; or
- symbol.
The sports industry has always been committed to protecting its branding. Football clubs, players and governing bodies invest heavily in protecting their brand identity, primarily through trade marks. As intellectual property, trade marks hold unique value as an asset of any business. Sports clubs are businesses as well as recreational pursuits. Therefore, registration in a trade mark is a worthwhile investment. Some football players, for example, own multiple trade marks across multiple jurisdictions to protect their personal brand and its value.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a strong example as he owns trade marks including:
- CR7;
- CR7 CRISTIANO RONALDO;
- CRISTIANO RONALDO LEGACY; and
- CRISTIANO RONALDO.
These trade marks are registered in many trade mark classes, including:
- action figures;
- dumbbells;
- gift baskets,
- sports glasses; and
- educational materials in the field of sports.
As a result, these marks are well protected against any competitor attempting to copy or use his mark without permission.
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The Purpose of Trade Marks for Your Sports Club
Trade marks can hold a substantial economic value and, as assets in your business, can be sold for a financial value. Therefore, aside from distinguishing your brand from competitors, your intellectual property strategy concerning registering your trade mark could benefit your business financially in the long term.
Trade marks are also helpful in creating a solid brand. They are often referred to as brand identifiers and can be extremely useful in marketing and developing your brand geographically.
Key Takeaways
Trade marks in England are unique brand identifiers which are used to distinguish one business from any other in its industry. They also protect competitors who may seek to copy your mark or use a highly similar mark that could potentially damage your brand financially or in a reputational context.
Sports clubs can benefit from substantial revenue streams through sponsorship and selling goods associated with their brand. Therefore, it is crucial to have your logo, slogan, badge or other symbol registered as a trade mark to ensure your brand is fully protected and equipped to challenge competitors who attempt to infringe on your IP rights.
If you need help or advice around the application process for registering your sports club trade mark, our experienced intellectual property lawyers can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on 0808 196 8584 or visit our membership page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Registration with the UK Intellectual Property Office provides you with solid protection against competitors who may attempt to infringe on your IP rights. It ultimately guarantees your brand has exclusive rights over the mark.
It is advisable to seek professional legal advice, mainly if your trade mark is capable of being worth a large sum as a symbol of a sports club. However, your trade mark is an individual asset. Therefore, seeking advice from a solicitor throughout the process is highly advisable.
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